Abstract: Silazanes and related compounds are prepared by providing a precursor containing one or more cyclic silazane units, causing polymerization to occur in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to form a polysilazane product. Further products may result from additional reaction. The novel compounds may be pyrolyzed to yield ceramic materials such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, substantially pure silicon nitride and articles prepared therefrom are provided. Fibers, coatings, binders and the like may be prepared from the novel materials.

Abstract: A wear-resistant alumina material is disclosed, as is its preparation by liquid phase sintering a mixture of about 70 to 95 percent by weight of crystalline Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 particles and about 30 to 5 percent by weight of glass phase-forming components in a nitrogenizing atmosphere from which oxygen is substantially excluded. Generally, the resulting material has a 5 Kg Vickers hardness which is at least about 5 percent greater than the hardness of a corresponding alumina material sintered in air.

Abstract: There is disclosed a partially sintered setter tile for use in the removal of carbon from multilayer ceramic substrate laminate during the sintering thereof. A multilayer ceramic substrate laminate having metallic lines and vias is provided with a reducible metal oxide in a partially sintered setter tile in close proximity to the substrate laminate. The multilayer ceramic substrate laminate contains a polymeric binder which upon heating depolymerizes into carbon. The substrate laminate and partially sintered setter tile are sintered in an atmosphere which is reducing with respect to the reducible metal oxide and which is oxidizing with respect to the carbon.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition for use in the drying of corn. The composition permits the drying of corn at a significantly increased rate, as compared with prior art methods, or at the same rate but at lower drying temperatures. The composition includes a drying agent selected from the alkyl esters of mixed fatty acids, an emulsifier selected from the group of surface active agents which provide an oil in water emulsion of fatty esters in neutral and alkaline solutions, and a coupling agent to facilitate the homogenization of the alkyl ester and the emulsifier. A solution of the composition of the invention may be sprayed onto the corn, or the corn may be dipped into the solution.

Abstract: A method for forming extremely homogeneous metal and ceramic composites wherein a dispersion of metal and/or ceramic powders in a polymer solution, such as a solution of an organic binder, is precipitated by the addition of a second, miscible solvent in which the polymer is insoluble. The resulting precipitated second phase is compacted, dried and processed to form an extremely uniform composite with excellent physical properties. The method has advantages over other processes since it is relatively flexible and inexpensive yet yields a high quality product.

Abstract: Red iron oxide pigments having a lower metal impurity content and enhanced purity of color are disclosed as being comprised of clusters of spherical particles.

Abstract: Provided herein are an aromatic polyester having superior physical properties which is composed of the following units ##STR1## an aromatic polyester amide formed by introducing a prescribed amount of amide linkage into said aromatic polyester; filament thereof; and a composition formed by adding an inorganic filler or magnetic powder to said polymers.

Abstract: A first activating material with pores having alkali-ionization promoting function and a process for the preparation thereof, the material comprises animal bone material which is calcined so that the water content is below several wt. percent and is pulverized or powdered into a chipped, granular or powdery state. A second activating material and a process for the preparation thereof, the second activating material comprises the first activating material as well as a magnetic clay powder, both being kneaded, solidified and calcined. A first flocculating agent comprises a solution of the first activating material in sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. A second flocculating agent and a process for the preparation of the second flocculating agent which comprises a homogeneous composition comprising the second flocculating agent and a metal solution of a mixture of copper with iron or zinc in sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: A sintered body of silicon nitride with high density, strength, toughness, and hardness, which can be used for a structural part of an engine, etc. The sintered body of the invention includes 80 to 94 wt % Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, 2 to 10 wt % Mg compound calculated in MgO equivlent, and 2 to 10 wt % Y compound calculated in Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 equivalent. The Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 contains 5 to 40% .alpha.-phase. The sintered body is manufactured in the following steps: (a) mixing powdery Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 with a Mg compound and a Y compound in the above proportions, and then molding the mixture in which the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 powder contains 80% or more .alpha.-phase and its grains are 1 .mu.m or less in diameter on average; (b) performing primary sintering at 1,600.degree. C. or less in an atmospher of nitrogen or of an inert gas at 20 atm or less; and (c) performing secondary sintering at 1,400.degree. to 1,600.degree. C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen or of an inert gas at 300 atm or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water borne metallic coating composition which stably disperses a metallic pigment and provides good metallic appearance independently of coating conditions. The water borne coating composition of the present invention comprises a specific film forming polymer (I), a specific fluorine containing compound (II), a metallic pigment (III), a crosslinking agent (IV), a compound (V) selected from the group consisting of a phosphorus containing titanate coupling agent and a phosphoric mono- or di-ester of a C.sub.11- C.sub.24 organic compound.

Abstract: An article and method for its manufacture are described. The article is preferably a ladle used in the manufacture of metals and receives molten metal for further chemical processing in the ladle or for transportation. The ladle is transparent to a wide range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths which allows the metal to be heated or stirred by induction without heating the ladle itself. The ladle is made of glass fibers and an inorganic cement, and this provides strength along with high temperature resistance. The article is manufactured by winding glass fiber around a mandrel, the glass fiber having an inorganic cement adhered to it. In one technique, the cement is provided on the fiber as an aqueous slurry, and the product is allowed to air cure after winding. In a second technique, the cement is adhered to the fiber by electrostatic attraction.

Abstract: An aluminum- and titanium-containing oligomer is prepared by a controlled hydrolysis reaction between a chelated aluminum compound and an organotitanium compound. The oligomer is heated to 800.degree. C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to produce .beta.-aluminum titanate.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride sintered body mainly composed of aluminum nitride, contains 0.01 to 1.0 percent by weight of a rare earth element and 0.001 to 0.5 percent by weight of oxygen. Such a body has a thermal conductivity of at least 180 W/mK. For manufacturing such an aluminum nitride sintered body, aluminum nitride powder (201) is first prepared. At least one compound (203) containing a rare earth element is added to the aluminum nitride powder (201) to contain 0.01 to 1.0 percent by weight, in rare earth element conversion, of the compound. The ingredients are homogeneously mixed with each other. A green body is formed of the mixed powder and sintered at a temperature of 1500.degree. to 2200.degree. C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere containing nitrogen.

Abstract: A transparent and fast curing composition suitable for use as a shatter-resistant coating on a glass, porcelain, or ceramic surface, wherein the composition comprises:(A). at least about 62 to about 71 parts by weight of a solid, benzene soluble resin copolymer consisting essentially of R.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 units and SiO.sub.4/2 units,(B). from about 29 to about 38 parts by weight of an essentially cyclic free, polydiorganosiloxane, the viscosity of the polydiorganosiloxane having a value of from about 500 to about 1,000,000 centipoises at 25.degree. C., the total of (A) and (B) being 100 parts by weight;(C). an organopolysiloxane having silicon bonded hydrogen atoms,(D). a platinum containing catalyst in sufficient quantity to provide at least 0.1 part by weight of platinum for every one million parts by weight of the combined weight of (a), (b), and (c).The composition forms a coating which is transparent, fast curing, and stable at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Compositionally triphasic nanocomposite gel is made by mixing two or more sols of ceramic precursor oxides. Such gel is then dried and ground to a fine powder which is pressed into compact bodies. The compact bodies are thereafter fired in a sintering oven at from 1100.degree. C. to 1400.degree. C. and, aided by the heat of reaction of the two or more nono gel powders, the (heterogeneous) mixture of such powders crystallizes into a homogeneous crystalline ceramic of .alpha.-cordierite at up to 100% of theoretical density. Thus, novel method of manufacture and novel ceramic end-product are provided.

Abstract: The rheology of an aqueous slurry of a calcined kaolin clay powder is significantly improved by spray drying a slurry of the calcined kaolin clay powder, recovering the spray-dried material, and forming an aqueous slurry from said spray-dried material.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite articles are fabricated by combining inorganic reinforcing fibers with dispersions of powdered ceramic matrix materials in organic vehicles which are thermoplastic solids. The dispersions are solid at room temperature, and are melted and combined with the fibers as heated liquid dispersions. Following application to the fibers, the thermoplastic dispersions are solidified by simple cooling; no solvent removal or drying step is required.

Abstract: A dielectric ceramic composition for use in making electronic devices has the formula:XBa(Zn.sub.1/3 .multidot.Ta.sub.2/3)O.sub.3 -Y(Ba.sub.Z .multidot.Sr.sub.1-Z) (Ga.sub.1/2 .multidot.Ta.sub.1/2)O.sub.3where X+Y=1, 0.3.ltoreq.X<1, 0.7.gtoreq.Y>0, and 0.ltoreq.Z.ltoreq.1.

Abstract: An improved sol-gel process is disclosed for fabricating large monoliths of silica or ceramic material, which are substantially free of cracks. Following formation of the gel, but before the gel is dried, the gel is subjected to a hydrothermal aging treatment, in which it is heated in an autoclave to a temperature of between 100.degree. and 300.degree. C., for a time duration of at least about one hour. This hydrothermal aging treatment causes silica (or ceramic) particles to migrate and fill small pores in the porous gel matrix, such that the average pore size increases and capillary forces encountered in the subsequent drying step are reduced to a point where cracking of the gel is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: Novel ceramic-metal intercalation compounds useful in the formation of densified ceramic-metal articles are prepared, for instance, by exposing a ceramic to an organometallic compound in a low dielectric solvent. The use of the ceramic-metal compounds in the formation of articles by densification allows achievement of densified compositions having at least one of increased density, hardness, and toughness.